Lutheran help flows to PNG

Australian and New Zealand Lutherans have responded generously to appeals for support for survivors of Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) earthquake tragedy.

More than 100 people were killed, hundreds of people injured and hundreds of thousands affected after a 7.5 magnitude quake struck PNG’s Southern Highlands and Hela provinces in late February.

Subsequent landslides have devastated the regions, making initial aid distribution efforts difficult, while aftershocks continued to rock the areas into April.

Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) has raised more than $25,000 from Australia and more than $14,000 from New Zealand to be donated through ecumenical church partnerships in Australia and PNG. The CAN-DO network of Australian churches, with representatives from Lutheran, Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, Adventist and Uniting churches and The Salvation Army, also has leveraged a $1.5 million aid grant from the Australian Government towards the relief effort.

Through LCA International Mission, more than $9000 has been donated for PNG. This is being sent directly to LCA partner church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea to distribute in areas of greatest need.

Glenice Hartwich, Assistant to the Bishop – International Mission, said LCA members’ response to the tragedy has been wonderful. ‘Thank you to everyone who has prayed for our sisters and brothers in PNG and to those who have given so generously’, she said.
Those still wishing to donate can give a gift through LCA International Mission, or via ALWS.